The sugarcane flowering is a complex physiological process that consists of several stages of development, each stage has its physiological and environmental requisition. The external factors related to flowering are: photoperiod, temperature, humidity, solar radiation in addition to soil fertility. Already the internal factors involved are: phytochrome, hormones, florigene, nucleic acids, among others. The intensity of the flowering and the consequences on the quality of sugarcane vary with the variety and the climate. The reduction of the sugarcane juice is the main factor which affected by the flowering, resulting from due to the increased fiber content. As other Poaceae, the sugarcane flowers, fruit and dies, ensuring the perpetuation of the species. Thus, the man tries to interfere in nature, trying to prevent the flowering sugarcane, either through breeding or through plant growth regulators. In areas of sugarcane commercial production, where there are ideal conditions for the flowering culture, it is recommended the se of variety with lower potential of flowering. And when this varietal management is more difficult, the use of inhibitors of flowering is the best alternative to avoid more losses of sucrose content.
Saccharum spp.; flowering induction; plant growth regulators